021
emotional design – inspired by nature.” The majority of Aqua’s pieces are created using silk the team has sourced from the same traditional weaver’s village in south India for the last 30 years. The village produces Aqua’s signature Tusser silk using silkworms that live in the forest. Moths are then allowed to emerge from their cocoons naturally before the empty shells are harvested, soaked in boiling water, and softened into silk. For the studio’s new limited-edition collection of Morning Glory, the weavers have created Desi silk, a special raw silk that has a unique natural colour that is both beautiful and strong. The silks are then dyed in Aqua’s studio using its signature range of 16 colours, or it is digitally printed using its L&LD Live & Let Dye programme, which was developed in-house at the studio. After printing, the silk is hand-pleated and applied to the lamps. When asked about his experience of working with light, it is evident
it is a medium that he has worked with closely for a long time before becoming a product designer. “I’ve worked with light as my main tool in photography, as it is with my design. I make rules and also enjoy breaking them. Light should bring emotions, beauty and of course some light to a space. “Now, I’m working on a new collection, which combines technology and craft in an exciting new way for me. It is a game between 2D and 3D illusion with our signature silk, but in a new and refreshing way. “Good product design should include a balance between so many things, but mainly it needs to surprise.” Looking back at some of the studio’s most notable projects, Serfaty reflects on the project for Oceanic Park in Valencia, Spain, which they completed in 2000. The team was hired to create a custom-designed centrepiece for the Submarino Restaurant in the heart of the Oceanic Park. However, at the time Aqua didn’t have any light fixtures large